Product management, AI strategy, and leadership

AI Scales Output. Leaders Scale Judgment.

Every roadmap now has an AI conversation.

But for product leaders, speed isn’t the strategy.

The real risk isn’t falling behind.

It’s scaling AI features without evolving product judgment.

I’ve been reading Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull (co-founder of Pixar and former president of Walt Disney Animation Studios) and Amy Wallace — a masterclass in creative leadership.

Three principles from the book apply directly to product leadership today:

1️⃣ Promote First-Hand Research

When Pixar was making Ratatouille, they sent teams to France — eating at Michelin-star restaurants and studying the city’s sewers — to get the details right.

Product takeaway: When everyone has access to similar AI models, proximity to customers is the real edge.

2️⃣ Create an Experimental Space

Pixar uses short films as creative labs — safe environments to test talent and technology.

Product takeaway: Build structured AI sandboxes — small pilots with clear learning goals. Not every AI investment should ship immediately.

Learning compounds faster than revenue.

3️⃣ Put Aside Preconceived Notions

Catmull argues that objectivity helps teams see errors early — before they scale.

Two views I hear often:

“AI will replace everything.”

“AI is just a feature.”

Both are incomplete.

Product takeaway: Strong product leaders treat beliefs like hypotheses — test, learn, update.

Access to AI won’t differentiate teams.

Judgment will.

What assumption about AI in your product strategy are you re-evaluating?